James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2002

IA2010:03

Black Writers

Townsville, Cairns

HECS Band 1

Contact hours negotiated with lecturer. Semester 2. Internal (Townsville campus).

Available to Bachelor of Indigenous Studies students and all undergraduate students.

Staff: Ms S Moore.

Students will examine literature from Indigenous perspectives as well as from shifting Anglo-American based definitions of what constitutes literature. There will be an overview of Indigenous Australian literature in relation to social, historical and political contexts. Students should gain a sound knowledge and appreciation of a range of Indigenous literature and understand the importance of literature as the production of counter discourses and as a mode of self-representation.

Learning Objectives:

  1. reflect on the history, forms and genres that have contributed to definitions of Anglo-American and Indigenous literature and consider the shifting views of what constitutes authorship;
  2. engage with texts written by Indigenous writers by writing responses using traditional conventions of literary or practical criticisms;
  3. critically review a range of texts in order to evaluate their effectiveness as counter discourses and self-representation; also produce personally relevant re-readings and resistant readings.

Assessment by short fiction critique (15%); journal (15%); seminar presentation (20%); short drama quiz (20%); major essay (30%).